Posts Tagged ‘Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail’

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail which is North America’s first Rails to Trails project. This project began a ‘rails to trails’ movement across the state of Wisconsin as well as the United States. Currently Wisconsin has 40 state trails of which 36 are rails to trails which total more than 2,000 miles of trails. Nationwide per the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, there are more than 1,900 rails to trails covering more than 22,000 miles.

Many organizations throughout Wisconsin are planning events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the rails to trails project in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR has declared the weekend of June 6th as National Trails Day. On this weekend all fees for trail passes, park and forest admission stickers, fishing licenses and out-of-state ATV passes are waived for the weekend.

Many events are currently being planned in towns along the Elroy-Sparta Trail on that day as well. Also a celebration will take place at the Elroy-Sparta State Trail headquarters in Kendall, Wisconsin on June 6th. The climax of the day will begin at 2:00 pm which will include a ribbon cutting and re-dedication of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, along with keynote speaker former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson who was instrumental in the formation of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

This would be a great weekend to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and spend a relaxing weekend at Amil’s Inn which is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

To keep abreast of the activities being planned for the 50th anniversary celebration in Kendall visit www.elroy-sparta-trail.com and the Wisconsin DNR website and search for ‘trail news”.

Biking enthusiasts getting ready to enjoy one of the tunnels of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

Nan and Bill of El Paso, Illinois getting ready to experience the beauty of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

In spite of a few showers from time to time, the weather has been some of the best for bikers who want to experience the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

The trail spans 32 miles between the towns of Elroy and Sparta on the abandoned Chicago & North Western Railroad bed. Traveling from Elroy to Sparta will bring you through the towns of Kendall, which is the trail headquarters of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail; Wilton, which is the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and Norwalk. Along the way you will observe wetlands, prairies, farms and un-glaciated areas since the trail is located in the northern Driftless Area of Wisconsin.

The highlights of the trail are the three rock tunnels. Two of the tunnels are approximately ¼ mile long. These two tunnels are located between Kendall/Wilton and Wilton/Norwalk. The tunnel located between Norwalk and Sparta is ¾ of a mile long.

For those biking enthusiasts that want to experience more of the area, there is an additional 68 miles of connected trails to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. The “400” State Trail is a 22 mile trail located between the cities of Elroy and Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22 mile trail between the cities of Onalaska and Sparta, Wisconsin. The Great River State Trial is a 24 mile trail between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin.

This past weekend Amil’s Inn was blessed to have 5 ladies from Crystal Lake, Illinois spend an evening. They came to the Wilton area to experience the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail and experience the beauty this part of Wisconsin has to offer. With the abundance of moisture and warm temperatures they were not disappointed.

The 5 ladies are neighbors and co-workers. Their friendship and delightful attitude is contagious! The friendship began 5 years ago when they participated in and completed a triathlon. Since that time they have become best of friends and plan numerous ‘girls away’ weekends to nurture their friendship.

Amil’ Inn is always honored when groups choose us for their ‘get away’ weekends and Anita and Dave take extra measures to make sure these groups are pampered for the weekend. It is not too late to plan that ‘get away’ weekend for 2014. We still have several available dates and we would love to have you stay with us!

Biking the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail is always a highlight for our guests. But there is also much more to offer in the area such as canoeing the Kickapoo, visiting Amish bakeries, nurseries and furniture shops, antiquing and seeing some the most beautiful scenery that one can experience.

The Kickapoo Valley is blessed with many great eating establishments. One of our favorite’s for pizza and ice cream is the Blue Goose Ice Cream and Pizza Parlor. Located about 12 miles from Amil’s Inn, it takes approximately 20 minutes driving through some of the most beautiful countryside of the upper Kickapoo Valley and Northern Driftless Wisconsin Area.

Once you arrive you will be greeted by Gail and Bill Thomas who remodeled the barn on their property into “The Blue Goose”. You will also be greeted by many farm animals that live on the property as well.

You may choose from a variety of pizzas such as Hog Heaven, The Giant German, The Super Blue Goose and a dozen or so more varieties. If you still have room, they serve specialty sundaes, ice cream cones, malts and shakes. They feature Cedar Crest ice cream fresh from the processing plant in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

After dinner you may enjoy Ma’s & Pa’s Toy Shed where a variety of childhood toys live. A vast amount of dolls, trains, dollhouses and trucks are also on display along with Elvis and Santa items. There is a small admission of: Adults–$3.00; Students–$1.50; Children under 6—Free (with a parent). New this year is the Haymow Flea Market located in the old loft of the remodeled barn.

Hours of operation are: Thursday- Saturday, 12:00-8:00 P.M.; Sunday, 12:00-6:00 P.M. The Blue Goose is located at S2106 24 Valley Road (North of County Road P), La Farge WI 54639. It is highly recommended to call ahead for a reservation especially if a party of 6 or more (608) 625-4335. For more information visit their website at www.bluegoosepizza.com.

After spending the day riding the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, canoeing the Kickapoo River or Amish shopping, the Blue Goose Ice Cream & Pizza Parlor will fill any appetite that was created

As many of you already know, we have been having an ‘old fashion’ winter in Western Wisconsin. There has been an abundance of snow as well as cold.

For outdoor activities, the snow and cold makes for great snowmobiling, ice skating, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail is open to snowmobilers and is very well groomed. In fact Wisconsin has 110 trails open to snowmobilers with 25,000 miles of well groomed trails. Check out www.travelwisconsin.com or www.wistravel.com for more information.

Innkeeper Anita’s high school classmates gather to learn basket weaving.

For those who would rather be inside, Amil’s Inn offers a great place for those that do scrapbooking, basket weaving, make a denim blanket, organize recipes or any other project that would need a warm and cozy place.

As I look out my window and observe the lawn turning white, I can’t help let my mind wonder back several weeks to the 6th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon.

The 6th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon took place on Sunday, November 3, 2013. The day was a beautiful fall day, perfect for the miles that the runners would put on that day. The Rails to Trails Marathon is not only a Boston Qualifier marathon but also a half marathon, 5K and 1 mile fun run. The course takes runners and walkers on tour of the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, a former railroad that’s been converted into a 32 mile recreational trail that winds through the small towns and countryside areas of southwestern Wisconsin between the towns of Elroy and Sparta.

The 6th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon had 227 marathon finishers of which 143 were male and 84 were female, 319 half marathon finishers of which 103 were male and 216 were female and 106 5K finishers of which 48 were male and 58 were female. (Results taken from www.itsracetime.com).

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast was honored to have as guests 2 of the marathon finishers—Roy who qualified for the Boston Marathon and Charlene as well as 3 half marathon finishers—Randi, Chrissy and Rebecca. Also your Outkeeper/Innkeeper Dave and our son Paul completed the half marathon. It was such a joy to have Roy, Charlene, Randi, Chrissy, and Rebecca return to Amil’s Inn after the race to shower and have some ‘serious’ runners talk.

For those running enthusiasts that enjoy running on a converted railroad bed, another marathon and half marathon to consider is the Elroy Apple Dumpling Races held the 1st Saturday after Labor Day each year in the city of Elroy, Wisconsin. The marathon is a Boston Qualifier as well. (www.appledumplingdayraces.com)

We have been very busy trying to cover up all our beautiful flowers in the cool of the night. This past evening the temperature dropped into the low 20’s. As you can see our water fountain will have to be put away for the winter months.

The vegetable gardens have been tilled and the final harvest has been made of most of the garden vegetables. The Lord has been so good to us again this year. We have a trailer full of butternut and spaghetti squash. We share with our guests, neighbors and the elderly that are in need. The only thing that is still left in the garden to feast on before the holidays is carrots and brussels sprouts.

Oh…. I still have lemon balm to dry for winter tea. This is a plant that produces so much. It was given to me from an Amish friend (just 3 roots). Ha! Ha! We have to laugh because it is a plant that wants to take over the entire garden. In the spring, we will till circles around it and only allow a 3 foot size area for this plant. Lemon Balm is used not only for teas but also garnishing.

Well, I better sign off for now and get a nice simmering slow crock pot ready with chicken and dumplings so we can finish the fall clean up before Jack Frost comes and breaks our water hoses!

For those health enthusiasts, come and join us this weekend as the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail closes the tunnel doors for the winter months after the Rails to Trails Marathon which will takes place Sunday, November 3, 2013. The Rails to Trails Marathon consists of a full, Boston qualifier, marathon, half-marathon, 5K and 1 mile run. Visit www.railstotrailsraces.com for more information.

After a much cooler and wetter spring than normal, the weather has turned to be great biking weather. For biking enthusiasts, Western Wisconsin has 101 miles of connected biking magnificence! The 101 miles consists of the Great River State Trail, La Crosse River State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and the “400 State Trail.

The Great River State Trail is a 24 mile trail between Marshland and Onalaska, Wisconsin. This trail takes you through prairies and backwaters of the upper Mississippi River valley and will take you along 18 different waterways, cross over the Black River on a 287 foot former railroad trestle, follow along Lake Onalaska on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The La Crosse River State Trail is a 22 mile trail between Onalaska and Sparta, Wisconsin. The trail lies in the La Crosse River valley and parallels an active rail line to the north of the trail. The trail was developed on the abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line. You will pass over crystal clear trout streams and pass picturesque farms as you pass through the communities of La Crosse, West Salem, Bangor, Rockland and Sparta.

The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32 mile trail between Sparta and Elroy, Wisconsin. It is the first ‘Rails-to-Trails’ bicycle trail in the United States and is one of the most popular trails in the country due to its 3 rock tunnels. The tunnel between Sparta and Norwalk is ¾ of a mile long. The tunnels between Norwalk and Wilton and Wilton and Kendall are ¼ mile long each. The trail passes through the communities of Norwalk, Wilton, Kendall, and Elroy. Along the way you will observe wetland, prairies, farms and unglaciated areas since this is located in the northern Driftless Area of Wisconsin. It also follows an abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line.

The “400” State Trail is a 22 mile trail between the cities of Elroy and Reedsburg, Wisconsin. The trail name was derived from the Chicago-Northwestern passenger train that traveled the 400 miles between Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul in 400 minutes. The trail crisscrosses the Baraboo River and one will be able to observe wetlands, wildlife, sandstone bluffs, rolling cropland and pasture.

The Wilton information Caboose welcomes you to the Elroy-Sparta Trail.

Spring has finally settled in with a few days of 70 degree weather and it’s time to get those bikes ready to experience the more than 50 rails-to-trails throughout the State of Wisconsin.

Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail which was the first rails-to-trails bike trail in the nation which opened to the public in 1967. The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail is exceptionally beautiful and has three tunnels. Since you will have to walk your bike through the tunnels a flashlight, bike lights and a light rain jacket is recommended. The longest tunnel is approximately ¾ of a mile long located between the towns of Sparta and Norwalk and will more than likely take 15 minutes or longer to walk through. In the middle of the tunnel you will find a small waterfall spring.

A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for bicyclists age 16 and older. The daily pass fee is $4.00. An annual pass is also available for $20.00 which covers all the rails-to-trails in the State of Wisconsin for the whole summer. Trail passes are available at Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast and other businesses in the area.

May 1 is the official opening of the Elroy-Sparta Trail for the 2013 biking season. The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a day of celebration on May 1. There will be a community ride from Norwalk to the Sparta Depot. A shuttle will pick up riders at the Sparta Depot (111 Milwaukee Street) at 9:00 AM. At 12:00 noon, a ribbon cutting will be followed by a Department of Tourism speaker, refreshments and biking information from the Wisconsin Bike Federation.

So get those bikes dusted off and oiled up and we hope to see you at Amil’s Inn Bed and Breakfast this summer! Safe travels!

The 5th Annual Rails to Trails Marathon will take place Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Known for its steady and challenging uphill stretches that await runners along the first few miles of the course, the Rails to Trails Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run takes runners and walkers on a tour of the Elroy Sparta State Trail, a former railroad that’s been converted into a 32-mile paved recreational trail that winds through the small towns and countryside areas of southwestern Wisconsin between towns of Elroy and Sparta, and features three long tunnels that hikers, walkers, bikers and runners can pass through — one of which runners will run through during the race.

Marathon Summary

The Marathon start time is 8:00 AM and is a Boston Qualifier (Certification # WI-08024-DM). The course is from Norwalk to Sparta featuring a ¾ mile train tunnel. The course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Southeast of Norwalk Village Park approx. 1.5 miles & then turns around and heads back to the Norwalk Village Park and then heads Northwest approx. 11.5 miles and then loops back to the Village Park to complete the course.

Half Marathon Summary

The Half Marathon start time is 9:00 AM. The course is from Norwalk toward Sparta featuring a ¾ mile train tunnel. The course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Northwest on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail. The course follows an out and back configuration that returns to the Norwalk Village Park.

5K Run Walk Summary

The 5K Run Walk start time is 10:00 AM. The 5K course starts in the Norwalk Village Park, heads Northwest on the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail 2.5K, turns around to a finish back in the Village Park.

1 Mile Fun Run Summary

The 1 mile Fun Run start time is 11:00 AM. The 1 Mile Fun Run course will start in the Norwalk Village Park and travel ½ mile Northwest, turn around and return to the Village Park.

Race Weather & Climate

Located in the southwestern corner of the state, just over 40 miles from the border with Minnesota and about 2 1/2 hours from Madison, the town of Norwalk typically experiences cold weather conditions in the mid-fall season, with occasional wet or frozen precipitation. In November, average monthly temperatures range between 40°F and 26°F, while precipitation totals average around 2.54 inches for the month.